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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: track · bulb · scale · board · roll · mouse · mug · patient

  1. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  2. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  3. I've got to change the light ________________.
  4. Where did you ________________ them?
  5. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  6. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  7. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  8. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  9. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  10. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  11. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  12. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  13. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. The light ________________ burned out.
  16. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  17. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  18. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  19. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  20. We're on a ________________ here.
  21. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  22. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  23. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. scale — for weighing
  2. board — to get on
  3. bulb — for light
  4. mug — to rob
  5. track — to keep track
  6. patient — calm and waiting
  7. roll — a cake
  8. scale — in music
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. board — a committee
  11. mug — a cup
  12. track — a song
  13. roll — a list
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. bulb — for light
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. patient — a sick person
  18. board — a flat piece
  19. patient — a sick person
  20. roll — on a roll
  21. bulb — of a plant
  22. scale — size or range
  23. track — a path
  24. mug — a face

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com